Will you fly to HK for this?

doctortt · 25-08-2008, 04:57 AM

I have been phone interviewing with a company with six different people (Europe based financial company) in Hong Kong for approximately two months, they have verbally offered me the position with good salary. I initially rejected the offer because of some issues (I can't tell here.) The manager at the company said he wanted to talk to me on the phone to discuss these issues and work them out. I waited for like 2 1/2 weeks and the head hunter told me the manager was out blahblahblah; therefore, it took so long. I really don't care whether the manager was really out or he was playing time game with me. I told them that I would be in Hong Kong on 08/15 before; however, due to some circumstances, I had to cancel the flight on 08/15. Last Friday, the head hunter called me and the manager of the company in HK wants to meet up with me in person to discuss the issues and show me around the environment. Hello!! I'm still in the U.S.!!! I'm thinking about scheduling the meeting with the manager on Friday afternoon. I will leave this coming Wednesday (08/27/2008) evening in US, when I arrive in Hong Kong on Friday morning, I will just find a place to shower and etc. Meet with the manager and etc at noon or later. Afterward, meet with my friends and leave on Sunday morning. I checked the flight ticket, it wasn't that expensive and it was in my budget. What would you do if you were me???

A couple questions:
1) Why that manager and company waited so long? I had a feeling that they just wanted to meet me in person to discuss all these issues instead of on the phone.

2) If the manager in HK asks what is the new company I'm heading to. I have the rights not to disclose it, right? (I can't provide more info on this one here, sorry)

3) Do HK companies have any policies that new employees must start on the 1st week of the month or something due to orentiation and etc? If things do work out, I have to return to US and tie up some loose ends - this will take at least two weeks.

MovingIn07 · 25-08-2008, 07:00 AM

I cannot comment about your specific situation, but our company is appallingly organised when it comes to recruiting. I could easily see us doing exactly the same, completely inocently, and still really want the person to work for us! I wouldn't assume they are playing you around. If you want the job, go for it. Also, if they are an international company you will negotiate start date - I have never heard of anyone being forced to start on a certain date!

Football16 · 25-08-2008, 07:32 AM

1. I find nothing unusual in the delay as what you have described is not unusual at all. Whether it is it right or not is another matter. Yes, they could have kept you better informed as to dates and timing and if this person who delayed will be your new boss that is something that you might factor into the decision to take the job with the person. In this part of the world when people are working regionally, it is not uncommon for business outside of HK to take the person out of the office.

Your schedule is very tight and no doubt you can go to this interview literally from the airport. If the plane is delayed leaving for any reason you might be in trouble. Arriving in the day helps get over the tiredness some.

2. Not sure what you mean by telling the HK manager what company you are going to? Is that current company or do you have another interview set up. I am not sure what you mean but when people are interviewing for more than one job they will often tell the head hunter this in advance and the approx timing so that he/she can keep their client apprised that there is some time pressure to decide on this person. It also helps sometimes if they think a candidate they like is being actively pursued by others. You don't have to disclose who you are talking with except to say that you are speaking with a company now and are wondering about their timing to make a decision.

KnowItAll · 25-08-2008, 07:34 AM

>> I have the rights not to disclose it, right?

Yeah, I would not disclose where you're headed to, if you're not comfortable with it. Don't need anyone sabotaging your job prospects even before you've started.

doctortt · 25-08-2008, 07:43 AM

Thanks for everyone's reply. In my situation, I have verbally agreed to accept the position of *another* company in Hong Kong. Therefore, when I rejected this financial company, they asked me why and wanted to work things out with me. Therefore, I just wanted to make sure whether I had the rights not to disclose the name of that *another* company. I don't want this financial company or head hunter to screw over, and I end up with nothing!